The term Harmoniemusik refers to a form of music that became highly
popular in the late 18th and early 19th centuries and
which almost exclusively involved wind ensembles. Many composers wrote for
these ensembles and others arranged music for them that had been originally
composed for other groups.

The first offering on this set is of two arrangements of Beethoven symphonies
one by Anon and the other by Joan Barcons. In 1816 these two symphonies appeared
in no fewer than six arrangements each for various combinations of instrument.
The one for the 7th is a contemporary one while Sabine Meyer’s
ensemble commissioned the one of the 8th since the original for
wind ensemble had been lost. I find the arrangements difficult to listen to
in their entirety since the works are so well known that to hear them in this
format seems too contrived. They cannot be enjoyed in the same way as works
that have been specifically created for such an ensemble; strangely they also
seem over-long when heard in this way. However, if such things do not concern
you then there is no doubt that there is much enjoyment to be had from them
since the music itself is wonderful and the playing is exemplary. It may be
that for me an extract might work better. Despite the fact that I am normally
totally opposed to tearing bleeding chunks of compositions out of context,
in these cases the effect may seem less contrived if a single movement were
presented rather than the entire symphony. The longer they went on the more
contrived they appeared; a case of ‘enough is as good as a feast’
or ‘less is more’ perhaps.

Many years ago I remember a friend challenging me to record extracts from
works that he’d try to identify. I included something by Krommer. When
he couldn’t fathom who the composer was and I told him he was convinced
I’d made the name up. I had become familiar with Krommer and many of
his Bohemian compatriots when I lived in Prague in the 1970s where his name
remained well known and greatly respected. There he was known variously as
František Vincenc Krommer, Krommer Kramař or Kramař Krommer.
He was born in 1759 in the small Bohemian town of Kamenice u Jihlavy that
even in 2009 had a population of only 1800. Understandably it is proud of
its famous son. The four wind octets presented on the second CD are delightful
and perfectly formed little gems. They take full advantage of the instruments:
clarinet, oboe, horn, bassoon and double bassoon. They bubble along with energy
and invention and make you want to listen to them again and again. Listen
to the short last movement of the op.71 Octet entitled ‘La Chasse’
and note how effectively Krommer evokes the hunt. It was fashionable in Bohemia
to write ‘music for hunting’ and many composers did so with Krommer’s
efforts being particularly successful. Octets are the perfect vehicle for
winds and these short works are exceptionally enjoyable. Small wonder that
this composer was considered a serious rival to Beethoven. Small wonder also
to learn that Beethoven didn’t think much to his music which seems to
smack a little of sour grapes, not that he had anything to worry about.

Another genre that was prevalent in the 18th century was the arranging
of successful stage works for various groups of instruments as soon as their
success on stage had been established. The third CD is of an arrangement of
Mozart’s Die Entführung aus dem Serail (The Abduction from
the Seraglio) which until quite recently had been attributed by Beethoven’s
contemporary Franz Joseph Rosniack but is now considered to have been made
by Mozart himself. Rosniack’s name will most probably now sink entirely
into the dustbin of history. That he was ever linked to an arrangement that
is probably by no less a figure than Mozart is in itself quite a tribute to
his memory. Following the overture there are 16 arias from the opera arranged
for nine instruments, two each of oboes, clarinets, horns and bassoon plus
double bassoon. The opera was commissioned by Emperor Joseph II from the 26
year old composer in 1782. Many will remember that in the film Amadeus
the cloth-eared Emperor says it “has too many notes; cut a few and it
will be perfect”. In fact there are hardly any instances where that
can be said to be true as in almost all cases there are neither too many nor
too few. That said this distillation of an opera that takes two CDs to an
arrangement of the main tunes that lasts little over an hour certainly makes
you concentrate. Mozart had an uncanny ability to produce memorable tunes
that have enthralled listeners for over 230 years. Lovers of the opera have
the opportunity to enjoy it all over again in this form. It is both charming
and rich in beautiful music that never fails to involve the listener.

The fourth CD in this set is of Mozart’s Serenade No.10 in B flat
KV361 (370a) “Grand Partita” scored for 13 wind instruments.
As the sleeve-note reminds us the opening of the Adagio has Salieri
in the film Amadeus say “It was as if I had heard the voice of
God”. While the quote may have been invented the sentiment is one that
can easily be imagined could have been felt by Salieri such is the beauty
of the music and the effortless ease with which Mozart came to write such
music; it simply poured out of him. It is the extra ingredient in Mozart’s
music that makes it unique; there is such incredible invention in its structure
and every tune, major or subsidiary is captivating. Listen to some of Salieri’s
compositions alongside Mozart’s and it’s easy to understand Salieri’s
frustration that he was born at the same time as this singular genius. Listening
to the Adagio afresh with Salieri’s comment in mind I could fully
understand how he might have felt it when a tune begun by one instrument is
taken up and completed by another in a kind of musical relay. If when one
section finishes your mind thinks “follow that then!” Mozart obliges
and so one’s gob is continually smacked.

CD5 begins with music from a completely different time with Dvořák’s
Serenade in D minor. In fact he captures the essence of the general
style of music that distinguishes harmoniemusik from other forms, as
was his intention. Scored for nine instruments it is a wonderfully evocative
work of great beauty that could only have come from Bohemia the birthplace
of music for wind instruments. Supremely melodious and full of colour it weaves
its irresistible charm for the whole of its 25 minute length.

Josef Mysliveček was another of those composers my aforementioned friend
believed I had made up when I presented him with an extract of his music to
try to identify. Anyone who believes they can do that irrespective is fooling
himself since no-one will ever know every composer there is. I am continually
amazed at the number I come across for the first time. As with Krommer Mysliveček
became known to me when I lived in Prague and was taken under the wing of
a friendly and hugely knowledgeable woman in a record shop - you don’t
find that often. She guided me in my discovery of the huge wealth of composers
from that part of Europe who lived and worked during the highly productive
period of the 18th century. With a list of compositions including
26 operas - bringing more of them into production than anyone other composer
in Europe - 55 symphonies and a host of works for other instruments Mysliveček
was one of the most prolific and gifted of 18th century composers.
He is credited with being the first to have published a string quintet with
two violas as well as being a pioneer in the composition of music for wind
ensembles. Add to these achievements the fact that he was for several years
a really good and close friend of the Mozarts, father and son and a considerable
influence on Wolfgang who used many of Mysliveček’s themes in works
of his own and one can see that this composer was a major figure in 18th
century musical life. It is therefore all the more surprising that he has
been so unjustly ignored in Western Europe and America up until now. It is
to be hoped that he is beginning to be recognised for his important contribution
to the musical legacy of his century. His three octets are particularly fine
examples of his wind ensemble compositions, full of interest with brightly
joyful tunes that are memorable, elegant and melodically refined.

CD 6 takes us back to Mozart for his last two composed wind
serenades. The opening of number 11 in E flat K375 is immediately recognisable
for it is so well known and puts a smile on your face in the same way that
a friend who has returned after an absence might do. Subjecting the opening
theme to variations in Mozart’s inimitable style makes the whole experience
of the opening Allegro maestoso wonderfully satisfying. The following
six movements are equally enthralling, the last an absolute delight. The entire
work is an object lesson in what a wind serenade should be. Mozart’s
Serenade No.12 is no less remarkable in form or content though it is much
darker in mood than its predecessor.
It is no surprise that Beethoven was attracted to the wind ensemble genre
and the three examples presented here show his genius which is on display
in typically brilliant form. They prove how well he grasped the mechanics
of wind band composition. In fact Beethoven takes this form of composition
to a completely new level and makes it his own with a symphonic feel to the
works that belies the fact that there are only nine instruments involved.
Big in sound and in ideas there is a rich quality in the music that Beethoven
always managed to incorporate into everything he wrote. The opening Allegro
of his Octet in E flat sets the scene in a wonderfully melodic movement. His
facility in that direction is maintained throughout the entire work which
weaves the serious with the merry. The Rondino in E flat may be brief at six
minutes but it is no less inventive and is full of brilliance with some lovely
passages for clarinet and for horn.

The final work on this disc and in this set is his Septet in E flat op.20
heard here in an arrangement for nonet by yet another of my Bohemian favourites,
Jiří Družecký (1745-1819). As with the previous work
this abounds in wonderful tunes brimming with invention. The second movement
Adagio cantabile is a particular favourite with its slightly sad and
wistful main theme. Looking back to the first disc of the set these works
that Beethoven wrote specifically for wind ensemble reconfirm my opinion of
the arranging of the two symphonies. Yes, they are interesting with some moments
that are very appealing but as a whole such pieces are nowhere near as convincing
as these. It is not just a question of length, the two octets each being of
almost the same duration as the arrangement of the eighth symphony but that
with Beethoven everything has a reason. The times when things don’t
quite work are rare indeed whilst the arrangements though charming have a
false ring to them that Beethoven’s music never does; if it’d
worked he’d have written it.

To summarise: this set is superb in that it highlights a genre of music that
was highly successful in its day and one that produced some really beautiful
music. The range of composers for it was considerable as the selection presented
on these discs indicates. The set also shows the supreme dexterity with which
these marvellous musicians are blessed. The members of the Sabine Meyer Wind
Ensemble were consistent over the period these discs were first recorded.
This continuity is evident in a group whose enthusiasm and love for the music
is demonstrated in spades resulting in a thoroughly exciting and rewarding
set of great music played by a group at the very top of its game.

I have only one small gripe which is that such a set deserves a booklet with
some background to the group, to the music and to its composers complete with
a short essay on the Harmoniemusik genre; the few lines on the individual
disc covers are inadequate.